HNC in Digital Technologies (Cyber Security and Cloud Networking Pathway)
You will study eight units in total:
- Professional Practice in the Digital Economy will provide you with a foundation for good practice in a variety of contexts and an opportunity for you to examine the evolution and impact of digital technologies on work environments.
- Innovation & Digital Transformation will look at a number of tools and techniques that organisations use to transform and become more innovative in their approach. These include frameworks and related elements such as operational agility, culture, leadership, customer experience, and integration of digital technology.
- Cyber Security designed to develop your knowledge and understanding in relation to cyberthreats and vulnerabilities, cyber defence techniques and incident response. You will explore fundamental principles as well as leading-edge concepts, terminologies, models and hardening methods. You will assess the types of malicious activity and potential targets, and the role everyone has in maintaining cyber resilience.
- Programming introduces you to the core concepts of programming, along with an introduction to algorithms and the characteristics of programming paradigm.
- Big Data & Visualisation introduces you to the concepts of big data and visualisation and how this is used for decision making. You will explore the industry software solutions available for investigating and presenting data, before assessing the role and responsibility of data specialists in the current environment.
- Networking in the Cloud will give you a wider background knowledge of cloud networking principles, operational principles, protocols, standards, security considerations and the systems associated with a range of networking technologies. It will give you the underpinning knowledge of the principles of networks and supports a range of other units in the qualification.
- Security will provide knowledge of security, the associated risks and how it has an impact on business continuity. You will examine security measures involving access authorisation and regulation of use.
- Networking will give you a wider background knowledge of computer networking essentials, how they operate, protocols, standards, security considerations and the prototypes associated with a range of networking technologies. You will explore a range of hardware, with related software, and will configure and install these to gain knowledge of networking systems.
The HNC will also help you develop your academic writing and research skills providing you with the opportunity develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork and problem solving.
This course is delivered online and will consist of ‘live’ (synchronous) workshops and seminars along with learning materials which you will be guided through and able to complete at a time convenient to you. You will learn through research, independent study, directed study and workplace scenarios. By participating invocational activities, you will develop key behaviours and transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, research, and analysis. Plus, you’ll be supported by a friendly, committed, and qualified team of lecturers who have both professional and teaching experience.
You will be assessed through a mixture of written assignments, group assessment, peer assessment, portfolio assessment and practice-related coursework. You will also be supported with a wide range of learning resources made available via Activate Learning’s Online Learning Environment (ALO), including access to textbooks, articles, and multimedia content.
Support
You will have a range of support made available to you, including academic and pastoral support, learning support and access to additional support funds (if eligible). Please see our Support Pages for further information.
Additional study support
Whether you have a recognised disability, specific learning difficulty, or not, you will be eligible to access additional learning support in all the following areas: 
- assistive software training
- IT upskilling
- essay planning and structure
- proofreading and editing written work
- bibliographies and referencing
- time management and personal organisation
- revision and exam tips
- presentation techniques
You’ll need to have a GCSE grade 4 or above in Maths and English. Other L2 qualifications (such as Functional Skills) in English and Maths may be accepted.
In addition, you will have either:
- An A level at grade D, or
- Relevant Access to Higher Education Diploma, or
- Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business or related subject, at a Merit overall, or
- T Level at Pass in a related subject
However, if you are thinking of returning to education but do not possess all the formal entry qualifications, your application may be considered through our Recognition of Prior Learning procedure. You will need GCSE English and Maths. In addition, you should be able to demonstrate experience and achievement in a range of digital technologies-related activities. We would also look for evidence of continuous professional development and learning. You should provide details of your experience and any courses you have completed along with your reasons for wanting to pursue this course of study in the Personal Statement section of the application.
If you want to find out more about our recognition of prior learning procedure or have any questions about the course, please do talk to us.
Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate that their level of English is acceptable by achieving a score in a recognised test such as:
- Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B
- PTE Academic 51, or
- IELTS 5.5 (reading and writing must be at 5.5)
On successful completion of this course, you can progress to our HND in Digital Technologies and complete another eight units. We offer excellent progression so once you have achieved your HND you can continue your studies and ‘Top Up’ to a BSc (Hons) degree (subject to meeting entry requirements)
Career opportunities could include becoming a Network Engineer, Data Analyst Software Tester/Programmer, or Business Analyst.
Fees for September 2024 entry are £6,500 per year for UK students.
Please note: Tuition fees are published for the first year of entry only and may increase in subsequent years for new students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Office for Students.
There are a variety of funding options available to help finance your studies. If you are a UK (Home) student, you don’t have to pay your tuition fees up front; the government provides loans to cover your full tuition fee. You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan to help cover living costs. Alternatively, your fees may be paid by your employer, or we could arrange a payment schedule if you are paying your own fees.
Additional costs
Students are advised that they will need access to a laptop or PC. We recommend that you budget £100 a year additional costs such as for stationary to undertake your studies. You can borrow textbooks and access journals from the recommended reading lists from our Learning Resource Centres either physically on campus or in the majority of cases, online. If you choose to purchase textbooks, they may cost up to £60 each.
